As the impeachment trial date for President Yoon Suk-yeol approaches, local bank branches around the Constitutional Court are also on high alert. With concerns about large-scale rallies and the potential for physical clashes on the day of the trial, some banks appear to have been preparing relevant measures since last month.
According to the financial sector on the 3rd, Shinhan Bank has documented its 'emergency response preparation plan for large-scale gatherings' and established countermeasures since last month. The main aspects include providing guidelines for branches in risk areas and preparing temporary offices in advance. To ensure employee safety, if deemed necessary, branch managers will have the option to halt operations and implement a transfer or evacuation.
With the impeachment trial date set for the 1st, related details have become more specific. In particular, Shinhan Bank decided to establish a temporary office near its branches around the Constitutional Court. The Shinhan Bank branches near the Constitutional Court include the Hyundai Gye-dong branch and Hyundai Gye-dong corporate finance center. If a large crowd gathers in the area, temporary offices will be prepared by securing separate spaces in nearby branches. Additionally, security personnel will be reinforced at nearby branches, and messages will be sent to customers if a decision is made to temporarily close.
Hana Bank will suspend operations at its Gye-dong branch and Anguk Station branch for one day. Instead, the bank will designate the 19th floor of its Euljiro headquarters and the Jongno financial center branch as alternative branches for customers, and employees will also relocate to work there.
Woori Bank is considering the temporary closure of its Anguk Station branch, while KB Kookmin Bank has designated branches in Yeouido and Gwanghwamun as 'safety management targets' and is checking the operational status of fire extinguishers and closed-circuit television (CCTV).
Not only banks, but also schools and palaces have decided to close on the day of the impeachment trial. This is in preparation for the likelihood of many people gathering around Anguk Station on the day of the verdict. Hyundai E&C and Hyundai Engineering, which have their headquarters near the Constitutional Court, will also implement full remote work on that day.
Currently, police are creating a vacuum by restricting roads within 200 meters in front of the Constitutional Court ahead of the impeachment ruling date. The road from Bukchon-ro near Jeongdong Elementary School to Anguk Station, and the traffic on Yulgok-ro from the Anguk-dong intersection to Anguk Station, are currently restricted in both directions. If the number of participants in gatherings increases, police plan to extend traffic control to Sajik-ro, Samil-daero, and Jongno.